Vinyl Fencing – Repair or Replace?

Vinyl fencing is an attractive and low-maintenance solution for residences and commercial real estate alike, as it is resistant to insect and weather damage. As great as they can look when in pristine condition, slight discoloration and a lean or slant can make vinyl fences quickly look unkempt and unappealing. While you can purchase your own vinyl fencing materials at home improvement stores, it is best to leave this work to experienced professionals.

When your vinyl fencing incurs damage or starts to show its age, when can you get by with a repair, and when should you replace it? Here are some helpful points.

Stains and Discoloration

Certain types of vinyl – older varieties, and poor quality vinyl – are susceptible to yellowing and may become discolored after time from water, mildew or sun exposure. Certain rust-removal products can eliminate stains from hard water, so long as they are safe to use on vinyl, of course. A diluted bleach and water mixture can treat mildew stains. Make sure that after removing the stains you treat the fence with a sealant, or the stains are sure to return. Unfortunately, you cannot remove the yellowing from the sun, as this problem goes deeper than just the fence’s surface. However, you can paint over it, but this will require more maintenance throughout the year and frequent painting. If this seems like too much of a hassle, it may be in your best interest to invest in a new fence altogether.

Posts

Posts, regardless of material, are the foundation that supports the entire fence. For a vinyl fence to look its best, posts must be aligned perfectly. If posts were installed poorly in the first place, the only way to salvage the fence is to pull the old posts out and set new ones. If rails, panels or pickets are in good condition you can likely reuse them. If you find cracks in the posts near the ground, it is likely from water entering the posts, freezing and expanding. The best way to prevent this is to cap posts and ensure there are no holes. Small cracks fan be patched up, but you should also find where water is entering the post and seal it.

Pickets and Panels

If you find only a couple damaged pickets or panels, you can probably just replace them. However, if your fence is more than a few years old, you may have trouble finding matching pieces. Keep coloring in mind as well. If you are only replacing certain panels, the brand new white parts may stick out against any older, discolored parts.

If you decide that replacing your vinyl fence is the best option, don’t forget to check your local building codes – and follow them! Contact Straight Line Fence in the western Michigan area. We have  years of experience to give you the brand new fence you want, while abiding by area standards.

 

Courtesy of Networx